Folding table



'Sept. 30, 1941. c BAILEY 2,257,522 4 FOLDING TABLE 3 SheetseSheet 1Filed May 27, 1959 177149726) [Mme/I C Baf/ey BAILEY 522 I FOLDIN TABLEFiled May 1959 O (2 Ly.-

3 sheet 2 I Sept. 30, 1941. ac. BAILEY FOLDING TABLE Filed May 27 1939 5Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Sept. 30, 1941' v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEFOLDING TABLE Emmett O. Bailey, Washington, D. 0. Application May 2.7,1939, Serial No. 276,185

17 Claims. .(Cl. 311 -89) This invention relates to folding tablesj andit comprises a folding table comprising at least two tiltable, adjoiningtop members, each of said members being pivoted substantially centrallyon a pair of legs, said top members being secured together by hingesalong a folding line provided substantially centrally between said pairsof legs, at least one lazy tongs for each pair of top members extendingbetween and secured to adjacent pairs of legs; said top members, legsand lazy tongs being so constructed and arranged that, when said topmembers are tilted from horizontal to vertical position during foldingof the table, the pairs of legs are caused to approach each other butare held in substantially parallel position; all as more fullyhereinafter set forth and as claimed.

An object of this invention is to provide a folding table easilyfoldable due toits almost automatic operation and capable ofbeing'folded into a relatively small space. I

A further object of the invention is to provide a folding table, which,when folded, will form a packing box for displays or layouts such as toyelectric railroad tracks, and being capable of storing the same withoutthe necessity'of removing the layout from the table before it is folded,as is now necessary when the conventional folding. tables. are used.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a folding table ofany desired length employing aplurality of hinged, folding top membersconstructed and arranged end to end forming a multiple unit and beingadapted to be folded simultaneously together.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following description of the drawings in which Fig. lis a side elevation of a table, constructed in accordance with theinvention, in open or extended position, 7

i Fig. 2 is a sectional view on a larger scale taken along the line 2-2of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows,

Fig. 3 is a view of the table in folded position, Fig. 4 is a Viewsimilar to Fig. 1 of a modified form of a folding table,

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on alarger scale of the modified form, takenalong line 5-5 of Fig. 4, Fig. 6 is a view of the modification in foldedposition; v V

Fig.1? is a side elevational view of two tables of the form illustratedin Fig. 4, hinged together at their ends to form a multipleunit,

Fig. 8 is a view of the multiple unit in folded position,

Fig. 9 is a sectional view, similar to those shown in Figs. 2 and 5 of afurther modification of my table,

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of a table modification in open positionshowing legs which diverge slightly downwardly, while Fig. 11 is asimilar showing of the same modification in folded position.

In the drawings like elements are designated by like reference numerals.Referring first to Figs. 1, 2 and, 3, elements I and 2 represent a pairof table top members hinged together at 3. This table is provided withtwo pairs of legs 4 and 5 preferably provided with roller casters 35,one pair of legs being provided for each respective table top member.These legs are pivoted at 6 and l to the outer sides of bracket members8 and 9 which are attached to the outer edges of the table top members Iand 2 at points which are intermediate and usually substantially midwaybetween the ends of the top members. At least one lazy tongs Iii isprovided for connecting and bracing the legs as well as for maintainingthe legs substantially parallel in all positions of the table. As shownin the drawings the upper ends of the cross elements of the lazy tongsare pivotally attached to the upper ends of the table legs, at 6 and 1,respectively, while the adjacent lower ends are attached to thecorresponding legs at a lower point by means of pivots which areslidable in vertical slots H and I2, provided in the table legs.

A lateral support for each pair of legs is provided comprising a pair ofcross bars ll, as seen in Fig. 2. Around the sides and outer ends ofeach table top member or section I and 2 there are attached flangestrips I3 and M which, when the table is open, form a raised edge orflange around the entire table top, the purpose of which will beexplained below. A locking device to prevent the table from foldingaccidentally, comprising a link 15, may be pivotally attached at one endto the lazy tongs l0 and at the other end to the strip M by a removablepin 1 6 or equivalent means.

In folding the table the operator first pulls out the pin l6. When thispin is removed there is nothing to prevent the table top sections fromtilting but, owing to the fact that the legs are mounted substantiallymidway between the ends of these sections, they usually remain balancedon the legs, held in this position merely by the friction of the pivotsand the friction of the casters 35 on the floor. But if one of the endsof the table is lifted slightly or if the center of the table isdepressed, the table top sections become unbalanced on their pivots,their centers of gravity shift and then they move by gravity heavier orof greater length in order to prevent I usually prefer,

the table from closing too readily and without at least some manualeffort. If desired, means such as spring 3ilmay be provided forassisting or opposing the closing of the table. 3

When the table is completely folded a. boxlike container is formed, asshown best in Fig. 3, owing to the fact that the peripheral flanges l3and [4 close together spacing the members J and 2 apart. The flangesform the end walls of the box while the table top members I and 2 formthe sides. Y a

Tables embodying this boxlike feature are particularly adapted for useas salesmenis display tables, game tables, tables forrelief maps, etc.For example the tracks ofa toy electric train may be left mounted on thetable top, provided that the track is separable at the center of thetable, or the wickets of a table croquet set may be left mounted on thetable top. In fact any articles, which are securely mounted on the tabletop and which have dimensions falling within. the conf nes of thebox-like structure, can beleft in mounted position when the table-isfolded; the box-like structure protecting these articles from dust andinjury. The addedconvenience and labor saving nature of; this form oftable can be readil appreciated.

In Figs, 4, 5 and 6 a modified form of the invention is illustrated, Theelements I 8'and l9 indicatea pair of table top members being providedon their under faces with stiffening strips and 2|. The element 22indicates an elongated hinge, the wings of which are attached to theunder edges of the stifiening strips 20 and 2|. The wings of thesehinges 22 are sufficiently longso that the lazy tongspcan be confinedbetween the two sections of the table top whenin folded position, asshown in Fig. 6. Moreover the legs and 5 arev pivoted totheinner sidesof the side members 8 and 9 so that the legs also fall within theconfines of the table top sections whenthe table is folded. With thisconstruction it is possible, therefore, for the sides of the table top,when folded, .to completely enclose both the lazy tongs and the'tablelegs, which was not/possiblein the case of the modification shownin Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

The supporting structure of the table top members of the modificationshown in Figs. 4,

the table or upwardly at. the center of the table top, after which thetable will'fold'morel orless automatically. As 'injthe first Idescribedmodifi-.

cation the weight of the two sections l8 and IQ of the table top assistin the closing of the table. ance on the pivots 6 and l but when thisbalance is disturbed by pressing downwardly on one of the ends of thetable or by lifting the table top sections in the center, the centers ofgravity of the top sections are shifted outwardly and gravity thenassists in folding the table.

In Fig. 7, apair of the tables of the type shown in Fig; 4 are placedend to end, the adjoining ends being connected by a hinge 23, thusforming a multiple unit. To prevent collapse of the "tables at the hingepoint 23, suitable locking means 24 may be provided of any desiredconstruction, such as a latch or peg, etc. The looking means shown inFig. '7 comprises a simple pivoted bar 26 adapted to engage a fasteningmember .21. In the construction of this multiple unit only a singlelocking means is required since, if one pair of table top sections isheld in position the other sections are held in similar position bytheir hinges. -While Fig. '7 shows two tables only, joined to formamultiple unit, it is evident that any desired number of tables of thesame type can be joined in order to make a ta'blewhich, when opened, maybe of almost any desired length. A folding table of this 'typeisparticularly adapted for a banquet table or a temporary counter orcutting table. Whenfolded as shown in Fig.-.8 it occupies a relativelysmall spaceand the folded table is easy to keep clean for the reasonthat the top 'sections arefolded .togetherfand are pro.- tected from.dust and dirt. The operation is'extremely simple since the varioussectionsgfol'd simultaneously and in one operation.

, The modification shown in Fig. 9 is similarto that shown in Figs. 4,'5 and 6- with the exception that the lazy tongs t0 and the hinges 22are centrally placed. The single lazy tongs is mounted on' a cross bar33 extending between braces 3| and 32; these bra'ces extending betweeneachpair of legs, This lazy tongs is mounted on the cross bar ,33 in thesame fashion as on the table'legs in the other modifications; "It ispossible, of course, to employ two lazy tongs extending longitudinallyof the table but one usually provides sufficient strength for allpurposes. 'This'mo'dification is particularly adaptedfor banquet tablesor other tables at which persons are tobe seated since vknee room isprovided along the fullsid'es of the tableas well asat its ends.

. My tables obviously can be made of various lengths and widths to'suitthe particular use for whichthey are intended. Tables ofstandarddimens'ions can bep'rovided for'such'sports as pingpong (table' tennis)billiards, pool, table croquet, etc, The uses of these tables arepractically'unlimited. Their construction is simple, and the parts usedare few in number. The'operation of the tables is simple and efiicient,and little or no strength on the part of the operator is required. Myinvention is particularly applicable for sports tables for use inrecreation rooms. When used in this fashion such rooms can be equippedless to say the use ofthese tables greatly en- 7 hanc'es theattractiveness and extends the usefulness of recreation irooms.

These sections are substantially in bal- While I have described what Iconsiderjtoibe the-best modifications of my table, it isobvious,ofcourse, that various details may be altered without departing from thepurview of the presentdnvention. It is possible, for example, to adaptthe present invention to tables having round tops or rounded ends.Modifiedmountings maybe used for securing the lazytongs to the tablelegs. The table. top sections maybe decorated, for example it is,possible to decorate the bottoms of the table top sections shown in Fig.1, 2 and 3 in, such fashion that, when folded, a decorated panel isexposed which in no way detracts from the appearance of a room. Whilethe drawings show the tablelegs connected with the table top sectionsatjpiVOtj points which are belowthe ,centers ,of gravity of said topsections when theitable is in its openposition, in order thatgravity-may assist in the closing of the tables, it is; possible, of;course,.for the position of the pivotpoints to be changed. The legs "ofmy tables do not necessarily have to be in exact parallel relationship,In fact in some cases it is desirable that the table legs divergeslightly in a downward direction as shown in Figs. and 11. Thisincreases the stability of the structure especially when in foldedposition. While the drawings show the table legs mounted at the midpointbetween the ends of the table top sections, it is to be understood, ofcourse, that the legs may be mounted at any point intermediate theseends, the top sections being weighted in order to obtain the properbalance. Other modifications of my invention which fall within the scopeof the following claims will be immediately evident to those skilled inthis art.

What I claim is:

1. A folding table comprising a table top section mounted pivotally on apair of legs at a point intermediate its ends, an adjacent table topsection similarly mounted and pivotally secured to the first mentionedsection along a folding line, the said two sections forming a planetable surface when said table is in its open position, and at least onelazy tongs secured between the legs of said sections and mounted in suchmanner as to maintain the leg pairs substantially parallel both when thetable is folded and when open as well as when in intermediate positions,the said table being so constructed and arranged that it can be foldedby tilting said table top sections through an angle of 90 degrees inopposite directions about their leg pivots, whereby the table tends tofold automatically.

2. The folding table of claim 1 wherein said lazy tongs is mountedoutside the confines of said table top sections when closed and saidtable top sections are adapted to be folded by raising their outer endsand lowering their inner ends along said folding line.

3. The folding table of claim 1 wherein said lazy tongs is mountedwithin the confines of said table top sections when closed and saidtable top sections are adapted to be folded by depressing their outerends and raising their inner ends along said folding line.

4. The folding table of claim 1 wherein a latch element is provided forholding said table in open position, said latch element being detachablyconnected between said lazy tongs and said table top at a substantiallycentral point.

5. The folding table of claim 1 wherein said table top sections areprovided with an upstanding peripheral flange and wherein said table topsections are adapted to be folded together by depressing said foldingline and raising the outer ends of said sections, the said peripheralflange separating said sectionsxwhen the table is in folded position andforming a box-like structure with said sections. 1 i v W 6. The folding.table of claim 1 wherein. the upper endsof the elements of said lazytongs are pivotally connected to said leg pairs at the point where saidlegs are pivotedtosaid table top sections, the lower ends of saidelements being secured to said leg pairsby a slidable connection.

' 7., The folding table of claim 1 wherein the said table topsections-are pivotally mounted on said legs in such manner that theirouter ends are heavier than their inner ends, whereby said table:tendsto remain in its open position. i

8. The folding table of claim 1 wherein the table top sections arepivotally mounted on said legs in such manner that their inner ends areheavier than their outer ends, providing an increased tendency for saidtable to fold automatically; l l

9. The folding table of claim 1 wherein the table top sections arepivotally mounted to said legs at points below the centers of gravity ofsaid top sections when the table is in its open position, whereby, whenthe table is partially folded, the centers of gravity of said topsections shift into a position assisting in the closing of the table.

10. The folding table of claim 1 wherein the table top sections areweighted in order to obtain a proper balance. 7

11. A folding table comprising a plurality of table top sections eachbeing pivotally mounted on legs, said sections being joined end to endby hinges along folding lines, said legs being connected in pairs bylazy tongs in such manner that said legs are maintained in substantiallyparallel position as said lazy tongs are compressed or expanded therebymoving said legs towards or away from each other, respectively, saidtable top sections being hinged in such fashion that, when tilted intovertical position about their leg pivots through angles of the lazytongs are compressed, thereby causing said legs to move towards eachother and the table is thereby folded.

12. A folding table comprising a table top section mounted pivotally ona pair of legs having braces extending between them, a second table topsection similarly mounted and hinged to said first section end to endalong a folding line by means of winged hinges, a lazy tongs secured toand connecting the braces of said pairs of legs in such fashion thatsaid pairs of legs are maintained in substantially parallel position,said lazy tongs extending substantially centrally beneath the said tabletop sections, the wings of said hinges being sumciently long to permitsaid table top sections to be pivotally moved about said hinges fromhorizontal to vertical position by lowering the outer ends of said tabletop sections and raising said folding line, whereby said lazy tongs iscompressed between said table top sections and said legs are movedtowards each other into a folded position.

13. The folding table of claim 12 wherein said winged hinges are mountedin a central position beneath said table top sections.

14. A folding table comprising a table top section mounted pivotally ona pair of legs, an adjacent table top section similarly mounted andpivotally secured to the first mentioned section along a folding line,the said two sections forming a plane table surface when said table isin its open position and imeans comprising a lazy tongs secured betweenthe legs of said sections and mounted'in" such manner .as to maintainthe legs substantially parallel both when the table is folded and whenopen, said table top sections being so-weighted and so-mountedon saidlegs that said table tends to fold whenopen and that, uponpartial'closure of the table, an increased tendency to close isproduced. a

15. The folding table of claim 11 wherein said table top sections arepivoted Ito said legs at a point below their centers of gravity, wherebytheir weight tends to fold the table automatically as soon as said topsections arepartially tilted. V

16. vA folding table comprising a table top section mounted pivotally ona pair of legs at a point intermediate its ends, an adjacent table topsection similarlyvmounted and hinged to the first mentioned sectionalong a folding line, the said two sections forming a plane tablesurface when said table is in its open position, and at least one lazytongs secured between the legs of said sections and mounted in suchmanner as to mainatainthe leg pairs slightly divergent downwardly .bothwhen the table is folded and when open, as well as when inintermediatepositions, the said table being so constructed and arrangedthat it can be folded by tilting said top sections through angles ofQO-degrees 'inopposite directions about v their leg pivots.

17. A folding table comprising at least three table top sections eachbeing pivotally mounted on legs, said sections being joined end to endby hinges along folding lines, said legs being connected in pairs bylazy tongs in such manner that when said lazy tongs are compressed orexpanded

